Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-06-16

Il
mates from childhoOd, went together
TO school taught by the ancien. maiden
lady at Stanborry Centcrl hunted IN
company on holidays for flowers ol
nuts, as tho season might be, and
once when Mercy, missing her Root.
Ing, fell into the river Asher, then bui
a boy plunged IN and saved her at th,
risk Of his own life; all of which
seemed 10 bind their friendship tho
flrmer.
But by aud by Mercy began III
grow from child into tall slender
girl, and then was sent away to school
at Boston, while Asher remained Al
home to fit himself for college under
the tutorship Of the Stanberry min.
lister. And every time she returned,
II seemed to Asher that she was fairer
and more stately than before, and a
strange shyness and reserve took the
place Of the old frank comradeship, rs
he realized that his affection for the
child had changed into a love for the
woman Mercy. And as for Mercy.
when Asher, grown so tall and manly,
doffed his hat TO her with old-fash-
ioned ceremony, the color would flush
her checks deeper pink; and as she
courtesied demurely in return, Il was
with fiuttering Of her heart against
its satin stomacher, while their talk
changed from its former freedom and
gayety, 10 such formal topics as had he
heard whether ship had lately
arrived at Boston from Englandp
or hew did she enjoy the poems Of
Mistress Anne Dudly, the tenth muse
which he had lent hsrP have seen a
miniature of Mercy Cuthbertson,
painted at the age when Asher Brad
shaw was worshipping her afar of. A
delicate, high-bred face, set with GER
tain proud poise on her slender neck.
a dimpled. fne-curved mouth, soft
dark eyes, and fringe Of loose curls
falling about the broad, white forehead.
A picture that proved Asher did not
need to regard her with partial eyes to
call her beautiful. OF course. though
Stanberry was but q small place. it was
not without its mild festivities. High
teas in the low, Colonial parlors; and
now and then country ball where the
beaux In queues, ruffles and small
clothes, and the bellies in powdered
hair and stiff brocades. danced the
stately minuet, and whore l need
hardly say Mercy Cuthbertson, who
smiled impartially on all, to the despair
of Asher, was never in want of a
partner.
''But another and more absorbing
subject than poetry and m erry-making
began to fill the public mind; the first
low but portenteous murmur Of the
storm so soon TO burst, and companies
Sons Of Liberty began to be formed.
and such words as taxation equal
rights and freedom began to be often
on mems lips. And as the agitation
increased and deepened. and lines of
feeling became more defined, many an
intimacy was sundered, and friendship
alionated, and affection quenched. as
neighbors found themselves on oppo-
site sides, and too often members OF
the same household at variance on the
great question. Stanberry was no ex-
ception to this rule, for Major Cuth-
bertson had been an officer in the Kings
army, and counted disloyality to his
Sovereign as almost a sin against high
Heaven; and Squire Bradshaw held
with equal tenacity, that TO stand for
the defense of the Colonies was the
supreme duty of patriot; while
Asher, when the alarm sounded from
Concord, fastened TO don the Conti-
mental uniform, and gather his fellow
townsmen into company.
During these stirring events he had
seen but little of Mercy; but the separ-
alton only made her the dearer. and he
felt that he could not go out TO danger,
and it might be to death, without
speaking the words OF which his heart
was full. So, one May evening he
walked up TO the door OF the red-brick |
house, between the bordering rows of
prim, then starry with the white bios
SONS. and lifted the carved brass
knocker on the great door, and was
shown through the long hall wains-
coted in oak. aud with floor and stairs
waxed and polished TO almost marble |
like smoothness and brilliancy, into the |
parlor where Mercy CuthbertsOn, in a |
pale blue lustering. sat at her spinnet
And so, with the scent Of prim and IL |
lac coming in at the window. and the |
portraits Of the proud old Cuthbert-
sons looking coldly down on him from
the walls, Asher Bradshaw told his |
love.
''And, as Mercy Cuthbertson listened.
the blush that had shown itself at first
died away, while a light kindled in her
dark eyes, and when he finished she |
drew herself up TO her full height, as |
stately rs queen, and there was a thrill |
In her tone that might have been of pain |
had NOT the il dignatiOn been stronger |
rs she answered: Sir, have no love
TO give man who is disloyal to his |
and ] count it an insult 10 be |
wOoed by one who is traitor to his |
King and she glanced at Asher's Con-
Iinental uniform. as he stood before
her. tall and handsome, every inch a
\ soldier and true gentleman.
''But, Mistress Mercy he began,
but she interrupted him:
"'It is useless for us to discuss this
matter further. whatever my answer
might have been once, have but one
decision now
"'Then, Mistress Mercy, said Asher,
gently and gravcly; i have only this
10 say, that such is my great love for
you, IL you viii not be my wife. none
other ever shall bei and II you should
haply ever change your mind Gas |
pray you may). remember / shall al